By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Ghanaian-British singer and media personality Stephanie Benson has recounted her near-death experience during a 34-hour surgery to have her breasts removed after a breast cancer diagnosis, and says the ordeal has pushed her to dedicate her life to supporting other women.
Speaking publicly about her health journey, Benson said the surgery was complicated and almost cost her life. “When I found out I had breast cancer and had them removed. I was in surgery for about 34 hours to have my breast removed, and I almost died,” she said.
She explained that complications set in after the operation when her chest began to fill with fluid, leaving her unable to breathe. “My chest began to fill up with fluid and I couldn’t breathe but one of the nurses sat by my bed and prayed for an hour. I was very lucky to come out of it alive,” Benson recounted.
Following her recovery, Benson said she felt compelled to reach out to other women going through similar experiences. Since then, the musician said she has made it her mission to help women become more comfortable with their bodies after mastectomy and to prioritize their own survival.
Benson noted that many women delay or refuse life-saving treatment due to fear, stigma, and pressure to conform to societal expectations about femininity and marriage.
Her disclosure comes amid ongoing public health campaigns in Ghana and across the world to increase awareness about breast cancer, early detection, and treatment options.
Health experts have consistently advised women to conduct regular self-examinations and seek medical attention early, noting that survival rates improve significantly with early diagnosis.
Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana. Advocacy groups have called for more education, access to screening, and support systems for survivors to help them cope physically and emotionally after treatment. Since sharing her story, Benson has been engaging with support groups and women undergoing treatment, offering counselling and encouragement based on her own experience.
She urged women to put their health first and not make medical decisions based on fear of judgment or to please partners. “Stay alive for your children,” she emphasized, adding that survival and self-acceptance should take precedence over societal pressure.
